stress

As a smoker, I always thought that taking that edge off of my nicotine cravings helped to ease my nerves by having a cigarette. The habit/addiction led my brain to believe that having a cigarette calmed me down.

It wasn’t until I started attending my smoking cessation counselling that I learned that nicotine actually makes peoples’ blood pressure and heart rate higher. In fact, the nurses in this program check my blood pressure at every appointment to make sure it hasn’t dipped too low after quitting smoking. It was insightful and a welcomed change to SEE how quitting affected my blood pressure. Continue reading →

Has there been anyone around you that has been unsupportive of your quitting journey?

For me, almost everyone was thrilled to hear that I quit smoking. Heck, I was beyond thrilled that I had finally managed to do it.

Yet, from time to time I would come across someone negative. There was one person who made a comment that still bothers me to this day. “Why would you bother quitting AFTER having kids? What sense does that make?” I could not believe that anybody would have the audacity to ask this question with the chastising tone in their voice… right to my face! Continue reading →

I was doing so well with my tobacco intake. Even though I had not completely quit I had myself down to less than half a pack of cigarettes a day, which is personally very good for me. Now, here come my excuses: currently I have been going through a lot. I have recently had to file for custody of my daughter, which means past memories of an abusive relationship have been replayed over and over again in my mind. I have also had some health issues arise, which on its own seems like enough to give somebody that extra push to quit, but unfortunately for me it has added stress and increased my tobacco intake. I feel that smoking gives me a slight relief from the stress but many people would say that it is all in my head. Instead of focusing on the slight relief I feel after having a cigarette, I need to remember the harm that it is doing to my body. Continue reading →

These are feelings that may come every time a cigarette is inhaled, especially when your’re pregnant and expecting, but still smoking. No matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to kick the habit, and I am sure I’m not alone.

My name is Llew and I’ve been a smoker for about 9 years. I am 24 years old and currently pregnant with my second child., I have a beautiful daughter who is soon to turn 3. Unfortunately I could not bring myself to quit smoking during my first pregnancy, and it’s looking to be the same for my second as I am currently around 32 weeks pregnant and still smoking. Continue reading →